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18 August 2021
The Real Story of Montañita the best beach town in Ecuador
Version en inglés y en español.
Montañita is a town known for its colorful atmosphere, its party and its surf scene, but for us as locals is much more than that.
You have probably heard many things about Montañita — the parties, the surfing, the nightlife, the backpacker culture. But what is this little beach town really about?
In this blog, I want to tell you more than just the typical tourist information or the history you can find everywhere online. I want to share what Montañita truly feels like from a real perspective.
Not from a marketing point of view, but as a Spanish teacher, a woman, a traveler myself, and someone who also lived in Switzerland for several years before returning to Ecuador.
It is a town full of dreams and strong people who see in tourism a possibility to improve their economy because it employs 90% of the population.
Montañita is located in "La Ruta del Spondylus", about 2.5 hours from Guayaquil airport. It used to be a small fishing village where a few surfers started camping in the 1970s. Then it became increasingly popular and, today, Montañita is one of the most touristic places in Ecuador. It is known as the surfing capital of Ecuador.
It was declared surf city in 2016 and recognized again in 2022 for meeting all the requirements that a professional surfer needs. It has waves that can reach 2.5 meters and maintains a temperate water temperature throughout the year, and for that reason surfers do not need to wear a wetsuit.
The Real Story of Montañita
Besides surfing, it is a town full of magic where people find everything they want, you can relax or have fun, the decision is yours, we are a small community that is always willing to help with a smile.
Besides, there are countless possibilities of things to do in the region, multiple gastronomic options, it is a very easy place to make friends, or just focus on your personal goals.
It's all up to you!
Here, more about Montañita
What Is Montañita Really About?
When I first moved to Montañita in 2009, it was a tiny town with sandy streets, reggae music playing everywhere, and a very laid-back surf vibe. Over the years, it has grown a lot. Today, it feels more like a small beach city than the hidden surf village it once was. True fact!
That change is not necessarily bad — but it is different.
One thing many people do not realize is that Montañita has very distinct areas, and the experience depends completely on where you stay or what you like to do.
There is the downtown area, which is the most dynamic part of town. This is where you will find bars, restaurants, nightlife, and parties that come alive mostly after sunset. During big holidays and festivals, this area can become loud, busy, and crowded which is not my scene, but perfect for someone that likes to have fun.
But honestly, that is normal for almost any tourist destination in the world.
It reminds me a little of places like Langstrasse in Zurich — areas known for nightlife, parties, and chaos during weekends. Every city has its energetic zone, and in Montañita, that area is actually quite small, around ten blocks or so.
What many travelers do not see online is that the rest of Montañita is completely different.
Outside the party area, life is surprisingly calm. There are local restaurants, small cafés, gyms, churches, supermarkets, long beaches to walk peacefully, and quiet neighborhoods where people live normal daily lives.
So if you are not a party person, that is absolutely not a problem.
You do not need to stay in the center or spend your nights there if you do not want to. There are other neighborhoods with their own atmosphere and community.
One of my favorite areas is La Punta, where our Spanish school and hotel are located. This part of Montañita has a totally different energy: peaceful, safe, relaxed, and surrounded by nature.
You can wake up to the sound of the ocean, surf at one of the best spots in town, enjoy restaurants by the sea, and still have easy access to everything else.
And honestly, that may be the best part about Montañita:
everything is close.
You can walk almost everywhere in 15 to 20 minutes. No car is needed. Many people move around by bike, skateboard, or simply on foot. And if needed, there are also safe taxis available around town.
Montañita is not perfect, and like any destination, it has areas and situations where you should use common sense. Like leaving your belongs unattended on the beach. But the reality is much more balanced than the dramatic stories people sometimes see online.
For many of us, Montañita is not just a party town.
It is a place where people come to slow down, surf, learn Spanish, connect with nature, meet travelers from all over the world, and experience a different rhythm of life on the coast of Ecuador.
Is Montañita Safe?
This is probably the question I get asked the most.
And my honest answer is: no place in the world is 100% safe.
Not in Ecuador, not in Europe, not in Latin America, not anywhere.
Sadly, Ecuador has developed a difficult reputation regarding security in recent years, especially when people talk about the coastline. And yes, this has affected tourism a lot.
I am not going to pretend problems do not exist in some parts of the country. They do.
But Ecuador has thousands of kilometers of coastline, many different provinces, towns, and realities. What happens in one area does not represent the entire country.
And honestly, Montañita is very different from the image many people imagine after watching the news.
Because Montañita depends heavily on tourism, safety matters to everyone here. Local businesses, hotels, surf schools, restaurants, taxi drivers, and families all understand that tourism is the heart of the town.
People care.
There are private security guards, local police patrols, community support, and a small-town feeling where people know each other. Of course, common sense is still important, just like in any tourist destination, but the reality on the ground often feels much calmer than what people expect before arriving.
At our place, Balsa Surf Camp, for example, we have 24/7 security and local patrols nearby. But beyond that, there is also something more personal that makes this place feel safe: community.
Montañita is still a relatively small town. People recognize faces. Locals look out for tourists. We give advice, recommend safe areas, and genuinely want visitors to feel comfortable here.
I cannot speak for every single person, of course, but I can say that many of us truly care about the people who come to experience our home.
And once you are here, something shifts.
You start walking through colorful streets with ocean air on your skin. You watch the sunsets turn the sky orange and pink. You hear live music near the beach, meet travelers from all over the world, practice Spanish with locals, surf at sunrise, and slowly relax into the rhythm of the coast.
That is the Montañita I know.
Not just the party stories you see online, but a vibrant beach town full of life, connection, nature, and culture.
And honestly? It may be one of the best places to learn Spanish by the beach while experiencing the real spirit of coastal Ecuador.
The weather in Montañita
The climate is generally warm and temperate throughout the year, although during the winter there may be cold days. By contrast, in summer, the days are very sunny, and almost every day you can enjoy a beautiful sunset on the sea. In winter it is recommended to bring jackets/coats/windbreaker jackets or raincoats for the drizzly days.
December - May: Almost permanent sun and heat, Temperatures of 27 C° (78 F°), tropical rain at night.
June - August: Cloudy and sunny days alternate, light rain, average temperature of 24 C° (76 F°), good time to learn Spanish.
October - November: Predominantly cloudy days, garúa (light rain), cold temperature up to 20 C°.
Activities you can do in Montañita
Something about sports:
Surfing is probably the main sport in the region, as the waves of the point are world-famous for their length and style. But there are also different beaches only 5 or 10 km away with different waves where you can practice according to your level or preference. Besides, we have waves all year round, no need for a wetsuit, the water is in perfect condition!
For people who don't want to surf, there are other options:
- Bodyboard
- Paddleboard *depending on the tide
- Sport fishing
- Yoga (different types of yoga)
- Running on the beach
- Hiking in the hills
- Visiting the gyms in the area
- Skateboarding, ramp (or downhill)
- Functional training, kickboxing, jiu jitsu, tai chi and more.
The Real Montañita
Nowadays, it has changed a lot regarding infrastructure but has never lost that magic, I'm not talking about the nightlife, but rather the people and the feeling I had from the first time I arrived in Montañita "freedom".
It is a very multicultural town and it attracts nationalities from all over the world, there is a variety of restaurants with local and international gastronomic offers, you can see people of different races, cultures and religions sharing on the beach, you can always hear people talking in different languages and the laughter sounds loud and cheerful.
The sunsets captivate you and show you the real magic of Montañita, sometimes we are asked how you can live in such an active place? well the difference between most of the people who live here and those who visit it, is that we live a normal life, with a certain routine, we have to work every day, so our evening activities are limited, actually some are working on the evenings in the restaurants and bars, we might do a lot of sport during the day but also work hard, we take advantage of the winter to meet more with our friends and summer to work and save, since tourism is fluctuating and seasonal.
Most of the locals do not live in the center of town, but in the surrounding areas or towns like Olon and Manglaralto, so every day we commute to work, sometimes I don't even go into town. The magic lays in the opportunity to be able to meet new people every day, learn about the whole world chatting with someone, most of the time we our clients are tourist happy and motivated to know our culture, our country, at the end of the shift we can rest on the beach, feel the sun on our skin, relax with our pets, take long walks, do yoga, meditation, reconnect with nature through surfing or a simple walk in the hills.
For someone who lives in a big city, it may seem that there is not much to do, but for us this quiet life, with the sea just a few steps from the office door, is enough and the most important thing is that we are free, every visitor is also free, free to choose how to enjoy this paradise, there is no discrimination, people love to welcome the tourist with open arms, nature is beautiful, the rest is totally your decision.
Montañita es un pueblo conocido por su ambiente colorido, su fiesta y su escena surfera, pero para nosotros; como locales es mucho más que eso.
Es un pueblo lleno de sueños y gente fuerte que ve en el turismo una posibilidad de mejorar su economía porque da trabajo al 90% de la población.
Montañita se encuentra en "La Ruta del Spondylus", a unas 2,5 horas del aeropuerto de Guayaquil. Solía ser un pequeño pueblo de pescadores donde unos pocos surfistas empezaron a acampar en los años 70. Luego se hizo cada vez más popular y, hoy en día, Montañita es uno de los lugares más turísticos de Ecuador. Es conocida como la capital del surf en Ecuador.
Fue declarada ciudad del surf en el 2016 y reconocida otra vez en el 2022 por reunir con todos los requisitos que un surfista profesional necesita. Cuenta con olas que pueden alcanzar los 2.5 metros y mantiene una temperatura del agua temperada durante todo el año, y por esa razón los surfistas no necesitan usar un wetsuit.
Ademas del surf, es un pueblo lleno de magia donde la gente encuentra todo lo que quiere, puedes relajarte o divertirte, la decisión es tuya, somos una pequeña comunidad que siempre está dispuesta a ayudar con una sonrisa.
Además, hay innumerables posibilidades de cosas que hacer en la región, múltiples opciones gastronómicas, es un lugar muy fácil para hacer amigos, o simplemente concentrarte en tus objetivos personales.
¡Todo depende de ti!
El clima en Montañita
El clima es en general caluroso y templado en todo el año, aunque durante el invierno puede haber días fríos. Por el contrario, en verano, los días son muy soleados, y casi todos los días se puede disfrutar de una hermosa caída del sol en el mar. En invierno es recomendado traer camperas/abrigo/chaquetas rompe viento o impermeables para los días con garúa.
Diciembre - Mayo: Sol y calor casi permanente, Temperaturas de 27 C° (78 F°), lluvia tropical en la noche.
Junio - Agosto: Días nublados y días soleados se van alternando, lluvias leves, temperatura promedio de 24 C° (76 F°), buen momento para aprender a español.
Octubre - Noviembre: Predominan los días nublados, garúa (lluvia leve), temperatura fria hasta 20 C°.
Deportes
El surf es probablemente el principal deporte de la región, ya que las olas de la punta son mundialmente conocidas por su longitud y estilo. Pero además existen diferentes playas a tan solo 5 o 10km de distancia con diferentes olas donde puedes practicar de acuerdo a tu nivel o preferencia. Además, tenemos olas todo el año, no hace falta wetsuit, ¡el agua está en perfectas condiciones!
Para la gente que no quiere hacer surf, hay otras opciones:
- Bodyboard
- Padleboard *dependiendo de la marea
- Pesca deportiva
- Yoga (diferente tipos de yoga)
- Correr por la playa
- Senderismo por las colinas
- Visitar los gimnasios de la zona
- Patinaje, con rampa (o downhill)
- Entrenamiento funcional, kickboxing, jiu jits, tai chi
The Real Montañita
Cuando me mude a Montañita en el 2007, me enamore totalmente de sus calles coloridas llenas de arena, de su musica y vibra hippy. Actualmente, ha cambiado mucho en infraestructura pero nunca perdio esa magia, no estoy hablando de la vida noctura, sino más bien de la gente y el sentimiento tuve desde la primera vez "libertad".
Por ser un pueblo muy multicultural, atrae a nacionalidades de todo el mundo, hay una variedad de restaurantes con ofertas gastronómicas locales e internacionales, puedes ver gente de diferentes razas, culturas y religiones compartiendo en la playa, se escucha siempre a la gente hablando en diferentes idiomas y las risas suenan fuertes y alegres.
Los atardeceres te cautivan y te muestran la magia real de Montañita, a veces nos preguntan como se puede vivir en un lugar tan activo? pues la diferencia entre mayoría de las personas que viven aquí y las que nos visitan, es que nosotros vivimos una vida normal, con cierta rutina, tenemos que trabajar cada día, así que nuestras actividades nocturnas son limitadas, hacemos mucho deporte pero también trabajamos mucho, aprovechamos el invierno para reunirnos más con nuestros amigos y el verano para trabajar y ahorrar, ya que el turismo es fluctuante y por temporadas.
La mayoría de los locales no vive en el centro de pueblo, sino en los sectores aledaños o pueblos como Olón y Manglaralto, así que cada día nos trasladamos al trabajo, yo a veces ni siquiera entro al pueblo. El encanto es poder conocer a gente nueva cada día, aprender sobre el mundo entero en una charla, la mayoría del tiempo trabajamos con gente feliz y motivada de conocer nuestra cultura, nuestro país, al final del turno podemos descansar en la playa, sentir el sol en nuestra piel, relajarnos con nuestras mascotas, dar paseos largos, hacer yoga, meditación, re-conectarnos con la naturaleza mediante el surf o una simple caminata en las colinas.
Para una persona que vive en una gran ciudad puede parecer que no hay mucho que hacer, pero para nosotros esta vida tranquila, con el mar a tan solo unos pasos de la puerta de la oficina, es suficiente y lo más importante es que somos libres, cada visitante tambien es libre, libre de elegir como disfrutar este paraíso, no existe discriminación, la gente le encanta recibir con los brazos extendidos al turista, la naturaleza es hermosa, el resto es totalmente tu decision.
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